Esports Open Play

Esports Open Play is coming to Northdale Rec Center on Saturday, October 24, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. It's set up as a family matinee, so it's one of those afternoon things you can bring the kids to without worrying about a late night. The whole point is to work on gaming fundamentals, and they've got a few of the big ones ready to go: Super Smash Bros. and Fortnite are the ones they're highlighting.

If you're wondering what the actual setup looks like, it's a proper gaming station rather than just a couple of consoles plugged into a TV. There are six 65-inch televisions running, and they're hooked up to next-gen consoles—Xbox Series S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch—so you can jump between different systems without having to swap out your own gear. They've also got gaming chairs and furniture on hand, and high-speed internet to keep things moving, which is the one thing that usually kills a gaming afternoon when you're playing online.

Because it's a matinee, it's built for families. You can bring the kids in, let them get some time on the consoles, and still be out by 4:30 PM with plenty of the evening left. It's less about a high-stakes tournament and more about just getting some time in and working on the basics. If you've got kids who spend half their time talking about Fortnite or Smash, this is a way to let them play in a public space with other people around rather than just in their room.

It runs from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM on Saturday, October 24, at Northdale Rec Center in Tampa.